Celia Mae Gold

To the Family and Friends of Ms. Celia Gold,

Celia Mae Gold, 67, of Ann Arbor, MI passed away October 29, 2025.

“When peace like a river attendeth my way. When sorrows like sea billows roll. Whatever my lot, Thou hast taught me to say: It is well, It is well, with my soul.” Celia Mae Gold peacefully transitioned into eternity during the early morning hours of Wednesday October 29, 2025, with her four sons: Jason, Jeremy, Ian, and Cory, along with siblings, and ministers of the gospel by her bedside.

Celia Mae Gold was born on September 26, 1958, in Ypsilanti, Michigan. She was the eighth child of twelve children born to the union of Elder Lem and Mother Celia Mae Frye. Her mother and father reared the family in holiness, pouring into them a love that was both fierce and tender. Every Saturday morning, there was a family prayer and breakfast. Sundays were devoted to church. They attended morning worship service, returned home for dinner and a family service, then they would return to church for the evening worship hour. With her siblings, and sister and brother-cousins, she enjoyed playing jacks, two-square, four square, dodgeball, jump rope and double-dutch.

At a young age, Celia accepted Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior at Hawkins Street Church of God in Christ, now known as Mt. Olive Church of God in Christ, under the leadership of Superintendent C.H. Barksdale. She was filled with the Holy Ghost and became a new creation. This was evidenced by her faithfulness to raising her sons in the fear and admonition of the Lord. Her kind spirit was transferred in the way she greeted you and through each conversation. Celia loved the Lord and loved to praise the Lord; the praises rang out as she worshipped Him. God’s spirit and love truly resonated through her.

Celia remained faithful at Mt. Olive COGIC and served under the pastorate of the late Administrative Assistant Willie E. Sheard. Celia served in many capacities and auxiliaries such as the Voice of Hospitality, anointed soloist, and as a member of the Pastoral Choir. She also supported the church financially through her tithes and offerings, special events, and fundraising by selling chicken dinners in the kitchen ministry.

Celia attended Ypsilanti Public Schools. She was an intelligent and an active student. In her senior year at Ypsilanti HS, 1976, Celia was crowned Homecoming Queen. Upon graduation, she enrolled at Eastern Michigan University and began her studies toward a degree. It was on the campus of EMU that Celia met Aubrey Gold, whom she would marry. This union was blessed with four handsome, energetic, creative, comical, athletic, and intelligent sons.

As a single mother, and with the steadfast support from her mother and father, Celia took a leave from Eastern Michigan University to nurture and rear her four sons. With the help of the Lord, courage, and determination Celia was able to find employment to improve the economic and living conditions for the family. After all her sons were enrolled full time in school, Celia returned to complete her education at the University of Michigan where she earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree in English literature and obtained her teaching certificate in education. In addition, this phenomenal woman was the proud recipient of her master’s degree in teaching and Learning from Marygrove College.

Celia valued education deeply. She believed learning was a pathway to purpose and possibility for her sons. Her dedication to education inspired all her sons to follow in her footsteps—earning seven college degrees and even becoming educators. This achievement stands as a lasting reflection of her faith, guidance, and unwavering commitment to excellence.

Celia began her teaching career in Fairfax, Virginia teaching middle school Language Arts. Upon returning to Michigan, she taught in the Adult Education Department for the Detroit Public School District. Celia taught middle and high school for the Wayne Westland Public School District until her retirement.

After retirement, Celia was led by the Lord to continue to positively contribute to the community by developing a non-profit 501c3 organization called APPLE Life (Stop Bullying at the Core… Give a Child an A.P.P.L.E. [Acceptance Purpose Praise Encouragement] give a Child Life! There is H.O.P.E. [Heartfelt Outspoken Praise and Encouragement].

Friends and Family often sought her advice and expertise for health, beauty, skincare, and wellness support. If someone had a pain or other discomfort, her number one recommendation was to use magnesium. She even learned how to formulate the topical spray with the mineral derived directly from the Dead Sea. Celia is also the author and illustrator of “The Hair Fairy: My Angel” (available online for purchase).

Celia was always well dressed and simply beautiful. As a result of her knowledge, poise and gracefulness, Celia’s sisters, friends, and other family members also sought her advice for fashion tips. Celia was gifted with the ability and an eye for coordinating an upscale and/or a thrifty look. Celia was creative, and she loved music. She painted, she was a sketch artist and developed dynamic skills in interior design. Celia also served during a mission trip to Haiti with a group of missionaries.

In the kitchen, Celia was an excellent cook. Her four hungry sons would crown her queen of the dressing each Thanksgiving Holiday. She learned that skill from her mother, who requested a serving of her delicious dressing each year. She also passed her culinary skills on to her boys. Although she enjoyed cooking traditional foods for her sons whenever they would ask, her focus shifted to eating more nutritious foods in her later years. She found a program that allowed her to embrace a healthy and nutritional lifestyle.

Celia loved her family dearly, and her friends are included in family. She had a special bond with her siblings. She enjoyed shopping, traveling, dining, hanging out, and serving her family. Celia had a sense for adventure. Frequently, she would visit her son Jeremy in New Orleans who would often take her on road trips to Florida. She would not hesitate to travel to any of her son’s football games whether in high school, college, or Ian’s National Football League games; he, and his wife Carla, also helped her design and build her final home as their next-door neighbor.

Celia and Cory traveled to Barbados, Martha’s Vineyard, and a world-renowned spa in Arizona. Jason always greeted Mom with her flowers. He would often take her to Detroit, concerts, shopping, dining, ultimately capturing their time together by sending selfies or videos of their experiences. He would always conclude their time with the seal of a kiss. Celia was a devoted mother, doting grandmother, cheerleader, supporter, encourager, prayer warrior, and friend.

Celia’s grandchildren were her heart. She loved reading, hugging, and playing with them. Celia was also very gracious towards each of her son’s friends. Her loving spirit would engage them just as she would with her own sons. Celia also held her sons’ wives dear. She was mom to many more than four sons.

She leaves in the picture gallery of life to cherish her love and memories, four sons, Jason Allan, Jeremy Alex (Nancy), Ian Maurice (Carla), and Cory Lamont Gold. Nine grandchildren, Jason II, Olivia, Jackson, Jamison, Jacob, Garrison, Eden, Emunah, and Menuha. Six siblings, Arlene McGregor, Gwendolyn (Pastor Gregory) Jennings, Julia (Kenneth) Barksdale, Norman Frye, Regina Frye, and Rosemary Frye. She has four aunts, Dorothy Tolbert, Mamie Richardson, Mother Statha Lewis, and Addie Lewis; a special brother Ronald “Chucky” Alexander; a host of relatives, and a special community of brother and sister friends. Celia was preceded in death by her parents, Elder Lem and Celia Frye, and her siblings Marsha Jean Frye, Mary Louise Scott, Rachel Frye, Lem Frye III, Larry Frye, and Mariam Denise Summerville.

Cherished memories of Celia will linger in the hearts and minds of her entire family, and all her friends.